Xing and Cranston join Team Canada teammates Lauren Kim, Anna Huang, Ellie Szeryk and Brooke Rivers in earning exemptions through
She Plays Golf Championship Series

Caledon, Ont. – Team Canada athletes Michelle Xing (a) and Katie Cranston (a) earned exemptions into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open after finishing atop the leaderboard at the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (Heathlands Course) in Caledon, Ont. as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series on Friday.

Xing of Richmond Hill, Ont. carded a 1-under 70 on Friday to finish the tournament at 9-under and two shots ahead of Cranston to win the championship, becoming the youngest champion in tournament history. The lead changed hands a couple times through the back nine on Friday, but Xing held strong for her fourth win of the season.

“First day I played well but I left some shots out there and made up for it in the second round and just tried to do what I did the previous day and keep a cool head,” said Xing following her round.

The 15-year-old began the week in a tie for fourth but moved atop the leaderboard following a 7-under 64 on Thursday, where she recorded an eagle and six birdies for the lowest score in her young career. Xing’s solid play on Friday was rewarded with a birdie on the 18th to secure victory and with it her first appearance in the CPKC Women’s Open and on the LPGA Tour.

“It’s really exciting and I look forward to it, it means the world to me, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and now that I got an exemption, I am really looking forward to it,” said Xing.

Cranston of Oakville, Ont. finished the tournament at 7-under and rebounded from an opening round of 77 to post, a career low 8-under 63 on Thursday and finished with a 5-under 66 on Friday to earn the second exemption spot.

“My start was a little bit shaky, just hard coming off a career low but back nine I really got it going today,” said Cranston who carded four birdies on the back nine Friday. By finishing as runner-up, Cranston has booked her third consecutive appearance into the CPKC Women’s Open.

“It’s an amazing stepping stone to experience the life of a pro golfer for a week and see how they do it,” added Cranston when asked about competing in Calgary later this month.

The ORORO PGA Women’s Championship saw a field of 62 golfers (amateur and professional) with 12 members of the Team Canada program competing in Caledon. The tournament was the third and final stop in the She Plays Golf Championship Series.

Last month, Team Canada athletes Lauren Kim (a) and Anna Huang (a) finished first and second respectively at the Glencoe Invitational in Calgary, Alta., which was the first tournament in the She Plays Golf Championship Series. They were joined by fellow Team Canada athletes Ellie Szeryk and Brooke Rivers who finished atop the leaderboard at the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in qualifying for the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open. In addition to winning in Pitt Meadows, Szeryk also finished atop the She Plays Golf Order of Merit for 2024, with Rivers and Xing rounding out the top three.

She Plays Golf is a citywide celebration of women’s golf anchored in each host market by a $60,000 CAD professional golf championship contested over 54-holes for a field of professionals and elite amateurs. The tournaments are played with a cut after 36-holes and each championship sees players compete for WAGR points and two qualifying spots into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open. The She Plays Golf Championship Series marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada.

Players earned points for their finishes in the She Plays Golf Championship Series towards a series-long standings. The golfer with the most points following the final championship will also earn qualification into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open, if not otherwise qualified and will be supported by Golf Canada’s Q School bursary program if they enter LPGA Q School in the fall.

She Plays Golf Festivals feature inclusive programming for women and girls, addressing gaps in the participation pathway and introducing new women and girls to the game in a safe, fun, and judgment-free environment. Festival activities take place at golf courses across the host city during the same week as the She Plays Golf Championship Series event with activities including introductory “Try Golf” events for women and girls new to golf, professional development for women in coaching, networking socials for women in business and leadership, and more.

For the final standings from the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship, please click here.

For more information on She Plays Golf Festivals and Championship Series, please click here.

Szeryk and Rivers join Team Canada teammates, Lauren Kim and Anna Huang in earning exemptions through She Plays Golf Championship Series

Pitt Meadows B.C. – Team Canada athletes Ellie Szeryk and Brooke Rivers earned exemptions into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open after finishing atop the leaderboard at the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C. as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series.

Szeryk of London, Ont. held the lead in all three rounds, initially sharing the lead with Virginie Ding of Hong Kong following Thursday’s opening round at 4-under. Szeryk followed that with a 6-under 66 on Friday to take the solo lead into Saturday. She finished the tournament at 6-under (68-66-76) to win the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open.

The win at Pitt Meadows is Szeryk’s second title in the past nine months, having won the individual championship at the Jim West Challenge in San Marcos, Texas last October.

With the win Szeryk has earned an exemption into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, Alta., July 23-28. It will mark the third start in tournament history for the 22-year-old having previously played in 2018 and 2023.

Rivers, of Brampton, Ont. finished the tournament at 2-under (72-69-73) to finish in second and also earn an exemption to compete at Earl Grey. The 19-year-old will be making her second consecutive start at the CPKC Women’s Open after competing last year at Shaughnessy Golf and Country Club.

The GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open saw a field of 51 golfers (amateur and professional) with five members of the Team Canada program competing in Pitt Meadows. The tournament was the second of three as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series.

Team Canada athletes Lauren Kim (a) and Anna Huang (a) finished first and second respectively at the Peloton Glencoe Invitational in Calgary, Alta. last weekend, which was the first tournament in the She Plays Golf Championship Series. The ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada from July 2-5 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. is the final stop in the three-tournament series for this season.

She Plays Golf is a citywide celebration of women’s golf anchored in each host market by a $60,000 CAD professional golf championship contested over 54-holes for a field of 60 professionals and elite amateurs. The tournaments are played with a cut after 36-holes and each championship sees players compete for WAGR points and two qualifying spots into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open. The She Plays Golf Championship Series marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada.

Players earn points for their finishes in the She Plays Golf Championship Series towards a series-long standings. The golfer with the most points following the final championship will also earn qualification into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open, if not otherwise qualified and will be supported by Golf Canada’s Q School bursary program if they enter LPGA Q School in the fall.

She Plays Golf Festivals feature inclusive programming for women and girls, addressing gaps in the participation pathway and introducing new women and girls to the game in a safe, fun, and judgment-free environment. Festival activities take place at golf courses across the host city during the same week as the She Plays Golf Championship Series event with activities including introductory “Try Golf” events for women and girls new to golf, professional development for women in coaching, networking socials for women in business and leadership, and more.

For the final standings from the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open, please click here.

For more information on She Plays Golf Festivals and Championship Series and to register, please click here.

Kim and Huang first to book places through
She Plays Golf Championship Series

Calgary, Alta. – Team Canada athletes Lauren Kim (a) and Anna Huang (a) earned exemptions into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open after finishing atop the leaderboard at the Peloton Glencoe Invitational at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club in Calgary, Alta. as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series.

Rain played a factor in Saturday’s final round causing two lengthy delays. When play resumed, Kim, of Surrey, B.C. continued her great play to fire a final round 70 to finish the tournament at 10-under (69-67-70) and win the 2024 Peloton Glen Invitational.

Kim said each day was a little different in terms of what worked well for her in Calgary, “the first two days my ball striking was really good, and I would say my putting came in really clutch today, I made a lot of really good par putts that saved my scores.”

Kim, the 18-year-old member of Team Canada and a freshman at the University of Texas, is the reigning Canadian Women’s Amateur champion and made the cut at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur this April. With the win, Kim will be making her second consecutive appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open.

“I always love the challenge of trying to qualify to get into an LPGA Tour event and being able to play in it again its very fun, it’s our home event and getting to represent Canada and play in front of my home country and all the fans, it’s really exciting and fun,” said Kim following her round on Saturday.

Huang, of Vancouver, B.C. is a member of Team Canada NextGen and earned the second exemption after closing with a birdie on the 18th to finish at 8-under (69-67-72). She credited her patience for a strong finish on Saturday.

“I had a couple rough holes, but my mindset was just focus on each shot and play some simple steady golf and I think that’s what helped me,” said Huang.

The 15-year-old was part of Team Canada’s win at the 2023 World Junior Girls Championship and will be making her first appearance at the CPKC Women’s Open next month.

“It means so much to me, because the past few years I’ve tried to qualify and I’ve never made it, I’ve missed by one or two shots every time so to be able to make it this year is truly special and I’m really excited,” added Huang.

The Peloton Glencoe Invitational saw a field of 51 golfers (amateur and professional) in the women’s division, with 16 members of the Team Canada program competing in Calgary. The tournament was the first of three as part of the She Plays Golf Championship Series.

Both Kim and Huang agreed that the launch of She Plays Golf and the championship series is important for the game in Canada.

“I think it’s really important for women’s golf in Canada because it gives a lot of exposure to Canadians to play more events nationally in Canada which I think really helps,” said Huang.

“It’s definitely growing the women’s game in Canada and it’s something we definitely needed. It’s really important for all the juniors and the pros and a great opportunity to excel,” added Kim.

She Plays Golf is a citywide celebration of women’s golf anchored in each host market by a $60,000 CAD professional golf championship contested over 54-holes for a field of 60 professionals and elite amateurs. The tournaments are played with a cut after 36-holes and each championship sees players compete for WAGR points and two qualifying spots into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open.

Players earn points for their finishes in the She Plays Golf Championship Series towards a series-long standings. The golfer with the most points following the final championship will also earn qualification into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open, if not otherwise qualified and will be supported by Golf Canada’s Q School bursary program if they enter LPGA Q School in the fall.

The She Plays Golf Championship Series marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada. There are two more tournaments in the series, GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open from June 19-22 at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C., and the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada from July 2-5 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont.

She Plays Golf Festivals feature inclusive programming for women and girls, addressing gaps in the participation pathway and introducing new women and girls to the game in a safe, fun, and judgment-free environment. Festival activities take place at golf courses across the host city during the same week as the She Plays Golf Championship Series event with activities including introductory “Try Golf” events for women and girls new to golf, professional development for women in coaching, networking socials for women in business and leadership, and more.

For the final standings from the Peloton Glencoe Invitational, please click here.

For more information on She Plays Golf Festivals and Championship Series and to register, please click here.

Professional women’s championship series and regional participation festivals mark the rebirth of an enhanced Canadian Women’s Golf Tour and national qualifying path into
CPKC Women’s Open.

May 24, 2024 — Golf Canada is pleased to announce that the She Plays Golf Festival and Championship Series has added The R&A, adidas Golf and RBC as program partners.

RBC deepens their long-standing commitment to fund women’s golf and grassroots initiatives by supporting She Plays Golf.

“RBC is a proud supporter of women’s golf at both the professional and amateur levels, and we’re pleased to be part of a program that will elevate women in the game while building a strong pipeline of future golfers,” said Shannon Cole, Vice-President, Brand Marketing, RBC. “It’s an excellent way to demonstrate our partnership with Golf Canada and continue our overall commitment to women in sport.”

As a long-time supporter of Golf Canada’s women’s golf initiatives, adidas Golf will be the official golf headwear, apparel, and footwear sponsor of She Plays Golf.

“We are honoured to join in this partnership with Golf Canada and She Plays Golf. One of adidas Golf Canada’s highlighted strategies is to connect with the female golfer in a more meaningful and inclusive way. The expansion of She Plays Golf and the focus on women’s golf aligns perfectly with our brand beliefs, allowing adidas Golf to continue to invest in, highlight and celebrate the game for women and girls in Canada,” said Jeff Feltrin, General Manager, adidas Golf Canada.

In addition, The R&A awarded Golf Canada with a National Body Development Grant (NBDG) towards She Plays Golf. The NBDG is part of The R&A’s intention of investing £200 million into golf over a ten-year period (2017-2026) to support the growth of the sport.

“We are extremely appreciative of our partners at The R&A, RBC and adidas Golf for their commitment and investment towards She Plays Golf,” said Laura Wilson, Golf Canada’s Director of Inclusion Programs and Safe Sport. “Since announcing the expansion of She Plays Golf and the rebirth of the Canadian Women’s Golf Tour through the Championship Series, corporate partners and other organizations have expressed interest in investing and aligning their brands with She Plays Golf. The participation festivals are a celebration of women’s golf, and we are eager to welcome more partners that can support further expansion of grassroots programming for women and girls in Canada.”

As previously announced, She Plays Golf is expanding to three markets in 2024 with the Championship Series and participation festivals scheduled for Calgary, Greater Vancouver Area and the Greater Toronto Area. In 2023, She Plays Golf was successfully piloted in Calgary in partnership with the Glencoe Invitational.

She Plays Golf is a citywide celebration of women’s golf anchored in each host market by a $60,000 CAD professional golf championship contested over 54-holes for a field of 60 professionals and elite amateurs.

She Plays Golf Festivals feature inclusive programming for women and girls, addressing gaps in the participation pathway and introducing new women and girls to the game in a safe, fun, and judgment-free environment. Festival activities take place at golf courses across the host city during the same week as the She Plays Golf Championship Series event with activities including introductory “Try Golf” events for women and girls new to golf, professional development for women in coaching, networking socials for women in business and leadership, and more.

These enhanced She Plays Golf Championship Series – comprised of the Peloton Glencoe Invitational from June 12-15 at the Forest Course at Glencoe Golf and Country Club in Calgary, GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open from June 19-22 at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C., and ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada from July 2-5 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley in Caledon, Ont. – will mark the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada.

The She Plays Golf Championship Series is open to professionals and amateurs from Canada and abroad. All three events in the Championship Series are played over 54 holes with a cut after 36 holes. Each championship will see players compete for a $60,000 purse, WAGR points, and two qualifying spots into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open.

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Golf Canada and its partners will work to further expand the footprint of She Plays Golf to establish a nationwide series of professional championships and accompanying participation festivals. Canadian companies and organizations interested in further strengthening women’s golf across Canada – from grass roots participation all the way up to entry-level professional golf – are invited to get involved with She Plays Golf. 

Additional information about championship entry and festival schedule for each She Plays Golf event will be available in the coming weeks.

Championship schedule to include 11 National Amateur Championships presented by BDO, six NextGen Championships, and the World Junior Girls Golf Championship in addition to Canada’s National Open Championships – the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open

Golf Canada will also conduct qualifiers for several USGA Championships including Local and Final Qualifying for the U.S. Open as well as the U.S. Women’s Open, U.S. Men’s and Women’s Amateurs and U.S. Junior Girls and Boys Championships

She Plays Golf Championship Series with stops in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada.

Golf Canada is pleased to announce its full 2024 championship schedule, which includes amateur and professional competitions in addition to various qualifiers hosted at golf facilities across Canada.

The 2024 schedule is headlined by Golf Canada’s two signature National Open Championships — the RBC Canadian Open, returning to the historic Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. May 28 – June 2, and the 50th playing of the CPKC Women’s Open to be held at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary, July 23-28.

Golf Canada’s 2024 competition calendar also includes 11 National Amateur Championships presented by BDO, six NextGen Championships, and the World Junior Girls Golf Championship. Three new previously announced championships for the 2024 season include the BDO National Golf League Finals, the Canadian U15 Championship, and the Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

As the National Sport Federation and governing body of golf in Canada, Golf Canada conducts the country’s premier amateur and professional golf championships to support the development of the nation’s top talent through world-class competition.

“We are pleased to announce the full championship schedule for 2024 and the addition of three new tournaments this year. We look forward to welcoming talented amateur athletes from across Canada and around the globe to compete for our national championships,” said Mary Beth McKenna, Golf Canada Director, Amateur Championships and Rules. “I want to thank our corporate partners, our generous host clubs across the country, and all the volunteers that are vital to making these championships possible. We are looking forward to another great season of championship golf.”

Each of Golf Canada’s championships are set to be contested at Canada’s top clubs including the 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur, hosted by Riverside Country Club and Saskatoon Golf and Country Club, both in Saskatoon, Sask., while the 110th Canadian Women’s Amateur will be played at the Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C.

The Canadian Junior Financial Assistance Program supported by Gary Cowan Heritage Fund and the Canadian Senior Golf Association will once again be available for Juniors competing in the NextGen Championships and all National Junior Championships (Juniors and U15) who meet eligibility requirements which can be found here.

Golf Canada will also conduct several professional and amateur championship qualifiers including five regional qualifiers into the RBC Canadian Open as well as final qualifiers for both the RBC Canadian Open and CPKC Women’s Open.

Other notable qualifiers being conducted for USGA Championships on the 2024 schedule include a U.S. Open Local and Final Qualifier, a U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier in addition to qualifiers for the U.S. Junior Amateur and Girls’ Junior Championships, the U.S. Women’s Amateur, and local qualifier for the U.S. Amateur Championship.  

New to the schedule in 2024 is the She Plays Golf Championship Series, a three-event circuit in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto that marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada. She Plays Golf is a citywide celebration of women’s golf anchored in each host market by a $60,000 CAD professional golf championship contested over 54-holes for a field of 60 professionals and elite amateurs. The enhanced championships comprising the She Plays Golf Championships Series include the Peloton Glencoe Invitational (June 13-15 at the Forest Course at Glencoe Golf and Country Club in Calgary), the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open (June 19-22 at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C.), and the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada (July 2-5 at a venue to be announced in the Greater Toronto Area). For 2024, the top two finishers in each event from the She Plays Golf Championship Series will qualify for the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open at Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary. In addition, the overall points leader at the conclusion of the She Plays Golf Championship Series will earn a spot in the CPKC Women’s Open, if not already qualified.

Golf Canada’s championship season kicks off April 15 with a U.S. Women’s Open Qualifier at The Vancouver Golf Club and concludes with the World Junior Girls Golf Championship at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from September 30 – October 5, where Team Canada will look to defend its championship.

To view Golf Canada’s 2024 Championship Schedule, including all host venues, registration requirements and volunteer opportunities visit, golfcanada.ca/competitions-calendar/.

2024 Amateur Championship Season at a Glance…

The inaugural BDO National Golf League Finals will be held at Hamilton Golf and Country Club in Hamilton, Ont. on May 25 ahead of tournament week of the RBC Canadian Open. Fifty-two two-player teams will compete over 18-holes in a four-ball net stableford format to crown the first ever BDO National Golf League Champions.

The Canadian University/College Championship, presented by BDO, will be held June 2-6 at Idylwylde Golf and Country Club in Sudbury, Ont. The championship includes both a team and individual component featuring Canada’s top university and college talent. The winning men’s team will qualify for the 2024 Canadian Collegiate Invitational.

The Canadian Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be held July 10-13 at Crown Isle Golf Resort in Courtenay, B.C. The 2023 event marked the first-time the tournament was held as a standalone event for female amateurs aged 25-and-over.

The Canadian Junior Girls Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested July 21-25 at Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver where the winner will earn an exemption into the 2025 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2025 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship.

The 110th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, takes place July 29 – August 2 at Royal Colwood Golf Club in Victoria, B.C. with the champion earning an exemption into the 2025 CPKC Women’s Open, as well as an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.

The 119th Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested in Saskatoon, Sask., August 3-8 and hosted by the Riverside Country Club and Saskatoon Golf and Country Club. A maximum field of 264 players will be cut to the low 70 players and ties after 36 holes, with the final two rounds contested at Riverside Country Club. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, as well as an invitation to the 2024 U.S. Amateur Championship. The winner will also receive an exemption from local qualifying for the 2025 U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur Championship.

The Canadian Junior Boys Championship, presented by BDO, will be contested August 12-16 at Innisfail Golf Club in Innisfail, Alta. The champion will receive an exemption into the 2024 U.S. Junior Amateur Championship and 2025 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.

The Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, presented by BDO, will be held August 19-23 at Carleton Golf and Yacht Club in Manotick, Ont.

The Canadian Women’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, will take place August 26-29 at The Club at North Halton in Georgetown, Ont. The Senior Champion will receive an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Women’s Senior Championship and 2025 U.S. Women’s Senior Open.

The newest national championship addition to the schedule, the Canadian U15 Championship  will be played at Elmira Golf Club in Elmira, Ont. from August 27-30. The boys and girls individual champions will earn exemptions into their respective 2024 Team Canada NextGen Selection Camp as well as their 2025 Canadian Junior Championship, presented by BDO. The top five finishers in each division will earn spots into two 2025 NextGen Championships.

The Canadian All Abilities Championship, presented by BDO, a national championship for players with neurological, intellectual, sensory, and physical impairments, will be held September 9-12 at Timber Ridge Golf Course in Brighton, Ont. The championship will expand to 54-holes in 2024 with previous tournaments being contested over 36-holes.

The Canadian Men’s Senior Championship, presented by BDO, will be hosted by Saugeen Golf Club in Port Elgin, Ont. from September 11-15, with the champion earning an exemption into the 2025 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship.

The Canadian Collegiate Invitational will debut at Öviinbyrd Golf Club in MacTier, Ont. from September 15-17. The tournament was announced last November and will be co-hosted by Kent State University and Penn State University. The intercollegiate tournament will feature nine NCAA Division I men’s teams along with the winning men’s team from the 2024 Canadian University/College Championship. The champion receives an exemption into the 2025 RBC Canadian Open.

The NextGen Championships are a high-performance junior golf series which totals six competitions. From May to July, six championships will take place across Canada where the region’s best junior golfers will compete to earn exemptions into their respective 2024 national championships. NextGen Championships provide junior players an opportunity to develop and showcase their skills at the highest level of tournament golf.

The 2024 NextGen Championship host clubs include: Summerland Golf and Country Club (Summerland, B.C.), FireRock Golf Club (Komoka, Ont.), Leduc Golf Club (Leduc, Alta.), Whitewater Golf Club (Thunder Bay, Ont.), Club de golf Les Boisés de Joly (Joly, Que.) and The Wilds Resort (Holyrood, Nfld.).

The 2024 championship season concludes with the World Junior Girls Golf Championship, taking place at Credit Valley Golf and Country Club in Mississauga, Ont. from September 30 to October 5. Team Canada looks to defend the team championship amongst a field of the world’s best junior golfers. Teams compete as 3-member squads while also contesting for an individual title.

Registration for Golf Canada’s competitions will open on the following dates:

• NextGen Championships: Wednesday, February 21 at 12:00pm EST
• RBC Canadian Open Qualifying: Wednesday, February 28 at 12:00pm EST
• National Amateur Championships: Wednesday, March 6 at 12:00pm EST

Professional women’s championship series and regional participation festivals mark the rebirth of an enhanced Canadian Women’s Golf Tour and national qualifying path into CPKC Women’s Open.

Championship series and participation festivals are set for Calgary, Vancouver, and Toronto in 2024 with a call for corporate support further expansion in 2025 and beyond.

Golf Canada is pleased to announce that She Plays Golf will expand to three markets in 2024. She Plays Golf was successfully piloted across Calgary as part of the Glencoe Invitational in 2023 and new events will also be conducted in Greater Vancouver and Greater Toronto this summer.

She Plays Golf is a citywide celebration of women’s golf anchored in each host market by a $60,000 CAD professional golf championship contested over 54-holes for a field of 60 professionals and elite amateurs. These enhanced championships – the Peloton Glencoe Invitational, GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open, and ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada – will be newly linked together in a She Plays Golf Championship Series that marks the rebirth of a professional women’s golf tour in Canada.

For 2024, the top two finishers in each event from the She Plays Golf Championship Series will qualify for the CPKC Women’s Open on the LPGA Tour, set for Earl Grey Golf Club in Calgary from July 23-28, 2024.

Players will earn points for their finishes in the She Plays Golf Championship Series towards a series-long standings. The winner of the point standings following the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada will also earn qualification into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open, if not otherwise qualified, and will be supported by Golf Canada’s Q school bursary program if they enter LPGA Q school in the fall.

Complementing the She Plays Golf Championships Series are concurrently held She Plays Golf Festivals, which feature inclusive programming for women and girls who are recreational golfers or exploring the sport for the first time. She Plays Golf Participation Festival events will take place at golf courses across the host city during the same week as She Plays Golf Championship Series tournaments.

“Increasingly, financial support for women’s sports in Canada is becoming more tangible. She Plays Golf will strengthen women’s golf in Canada in the same manner that PWHL showcases elite women’s hockey talent and Project 8 seeks to transform women’s soccer,” said Laura Wilson, Golf Canada’s Director of Inclusion Programs and Safe Sport. “We are eager for corporate partners and other organizations to invest and align their brands with She Plays Golf to support further expansion. The She Plays Golf Championship Series will provide more playing opportunities for Canada’s best female athletes, filling a void for women’s professional events in Canada, while She Plays Golf Festivals will connect women and girls to golf in a safe, welcoming, and non-intimidating environment.”

The 2024 She Plays Golf Championship Series will begin in Calgary, Alberta with the Peloton Glencoe Invitational from June 12-15 at the Forest Course at Glencoe Golf and Country Club. She Plays Golf Festival events for women and girls will be held concurrently across the city of Calgary at locations such as McCall Lake Golf Course, Blue Devil Golf Club and Golfuture YYC. Additionally, Glencoe will host U.S. Women’s Amateur Qualifying following the event on Monday, June 17.

The second stop in the 2024 She Plays Golf Championship Series will be the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open, June 19-22 at Pitt Meadows Golf Club in Pitt Meadows, B.C. She Plays Golf Festival events will take place at select courses throughout the lower mainland. In addition, U.S. Junior Girls Qualifying will take place June 19 at Riverway Golf Course in Burnaby, on the date of the official practice round for the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open. Juniors entered in the U.S. Junior Qualifier and the GolfBC Group BC Women’s Open may play their practice round on an alternate date.

The third and final event of the 2024 She Plays Golf Championship Series will be the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship of Canada, July 2-5 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley. PGA of Canada members and touring professionals along with Canada’s top amateurs and juniors will compete for a national championship. She Plays Golf Participation Festival events will be held at various golf facilities throughout the Greater Toronto Area.

Open to professionals and amateurs from Canada and abroad, all three events in the She Plays Golf Championship Series are played over 54 holes with a cut after 36 holes. Each championship will see players compete for a $60,000 purse, WAGR points, and two qualifying spots into the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open.

Golf Canada is also creating turnkey resources to enable all 1600+ member facilities to run their own She Plays Golf Festival events. The resources will help local course operators attract new participants and ensure a fun and positive first golf experience for women and girls. The resources will draw inspiration from successful existing women’s programs from various parts of Canada, including Golf Ontario’s Women’s Try Golf program and Golf and Tacos in Western Canada.

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, Golf Canada and its partners will work to further expand the footprint of She Plays Golf to establish a nationwide series of professional championships and accompanying participation festivals. Canadian companies and organizations interested in further strengthening women’s golf across Canada – from grass roots participation all the way up to entry-level professional golf – are invited to get involved with She Plays Golf. 

Additional information about championship entry and festival schedule for each She Plays Golf event will be available in the coming weeks.

Week-long women’s golf festival with competitive and introductory programming for all ages of women and girls across Calgary to run in conjunction with enhanced Digital Commercial Bank Glencoe Invitational.

March 8, 2023 – Golf Canada and The Glencoe Golf and Country Club in Calgary have announced a partnership that will support enhancements to the prestigious Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational, along with the pilot launch of a week-long women’s golf festival taking place across the Calgary region during the week of the championship.

Established in 1992, the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational is one of the premiere golf competitions in Canada with approximately 100 athletes – both professionals and elite amateurs in the women’s division and amateurs only in the men’s division – competing over 54 holes on The Forest Course at The Glencoe Golf & Country Club. The championship runs June 15-17 and will feature an expanded prize purse of at least $60,000 CAD in the women’s division. The winner of the women’s championship will also receive an exemption into the 2023 CP Women’s Open. 

Team Canada athletes will compete in the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational and Golf Canada will assist in recruiting international players to compete in the championship. Team Canada will also conduct training camps in Calgary surrounding the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational with athletes and coaches from the men’s, women’s, and NextGen squads. Following the championship, Golf Canada will host a US Women’s Amateur Qualifier on Monday, June 19 at the Sundre Golf Club in Sundre, Alta.

“The Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational is a premier golf competition in this country, and it is exciting to see the enhancements take shape, especially the progressive investment to elevate opportunities for women,” said Golf Canada Chief Sport Officer, Kevin Blue. “We are thankful for The Glencoe and the leadership they are demonstrating to help foster the growth of women’s golf in Canada. We are proud to partner in the enhancement of the women’s championship and deliver additional community golf activities to advance participation among women and junior girls in the Calgary area.”

“We are excited to grow the success of the tournament by partnering with Golf Canada,” said Tournament Chair, Dale Goehring. “This year’s event will enable more elite Canadian male and female players to compete on home soil.  Working alongside with Golf Canada with the tournament and Festival events aligns with the Glencoe Golf & Country Club’s mission to create exceptional experiences and grow the game of golf for both women and men.”

In addition to enhancements to the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational, Golf Canada will pilot a women’s golf festival concept that will take place during the week of the championship. Beginning on June 12, Golf Canada will host several introductory community events at Calgary area golf courses promoting recreational women’s and junior girls’ golf participation with a focus on the fun and social aspects of the game.

Information about new and existing clinics, leagues and programs for women and girls in the Calgary region will be shared throughout the week. The R&A is also providing important support for the Calgary area women’s golf festival pilot.    

“We are proud to have  support from Glencoe and the R&A in helping to pilot the Canadian Women’s Golf Festival with a dedicated focus on programming for women and girls that spans the full participation pathway from first involvement to high performance,” said Laura Wilson, Golf Canada’s Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Safe Sport. “We see this being a week-long celebration of women’s golf. The enhancements to the Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational along with highly visible programming will address participation gaps and bring greater awareness among women of the physical, psychological, and social benefits of golf.”

Activities planned for the Women’s Golf Festival during the week of The Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational include:

• Tee it Up Clinics – a first trial opportunity for young girls with introductions to fundamental skills such as driving, chipping, and putting in a fun and relaxed environment filled with music, games, and laughter.

• Team Scramble – a women focused fun and non-traditional nine-hole event for women and junior girls.

• Try Golf Taster – introductory events to encourage women to try golf in a low pressure, unintimidating environment.

• Women in Coaching – women’s only coach education sessions that will present an opportunity to develop leaders and role models in golf, especially focused on community coaching.

Golf Canada will work with Alberta Golf, City of Calgary, golf courses in the Calgary area and community-based organizations to operate the Women’s Golf Festival during the week of The Digital Commerce Bank Glencoe Invitational as a pilot project with a goal that the concept can draw sustainable funding to support expansion to four Canadian markets in 2024.